Congresswoman Waters Receives Veterans Public Service Award

Congresswoman Maxine Waters (CA-43) was awarded the inaugural Judge Harry Pregerson Public Service Award by U.S. VETS on Thursday, Oct. 17th. This award honors individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the veterans’ community and whose accomplishments can be viewed as models of public service within and outside the work environment. The award was presented to Congresswoman Waters at the U.S.VETS Annual Dinner in Los Angeles.

“It is absolutely appropriate that Congresswoman Waters be the first recipient of this prestigious award,” said Stephen J. Peck, president and CEO of U.S.VETS. “Her dedication and energy has improved the lives of thousands of veterans in her district and across the nation.”

“I am truly honored to receive this special recognition from U.S. VETS. U.S. VETS is indeed a very special and important initiative dedicated to ensuring a better quality of life for our homeless and at-risk veterans,” said Congresswoman Waters. “With 11 facilities across the country, including Inglewood which is located in my district, they have provided essential services such as employment assistance, job placement, and counseling to veterans every day.”

Congresswoman Waters is a longstanding advocate for veterans. She took an active role in advocating for a facility in her district that provides primary and mental healthcare to veterans in the Greater Los Angeles area. Because of her advocacy, the Gardena Community Based Outpatient Clinic was established in the city of Gardena. Congresswoman Waters also fought for the creation of The Center for Women Veterans in the Department of Veterans Affairs by authoring legislation that created the first women’s bureau within the Department. She has been a constant presence at the veterans’ centers in her district and supporter of their programs. For the past decade, Congresswoman Waters has provided transportation to thousands of veterans in the Greater Los Angeles area to attend Hawthorne’s VFW Post 2075 annual Thanksgiving Day dinner for veterans.

“Veterans are one of my top priorities and I will always dedicate my staff, my office and my time to honor and respect those brave men and women in uniform who have given their time and their lives to protect our ideals, our democracy and our country,” added Congresswoman Waters.